Useful guide for support crews

Notes for back-up teams

This is not meant to be a series of hard and fast rules of what a back-up team for a West Highland Way runner should do but a guide. Every runner is different but there are basics which all supporting teams should recognise.

As a member of a back-up team for a runner competing in the West Highland Way Race your duties start long before race day. First you must check with your runner exactly what he expects of you. These requirements can come under three headings:

Navigation

It is reasonable to assume that the runner knows the way or at least has a Harvey West Highland Way map…if he or she doesn’t then they shouldn’t be taking part! However the back-up teams need to know the way and a bit more as well. They must know the best ways of getting to the runner’s chosen stopping points and the race checkpoints—these may not always be car accessible so at least one member of the crew must know the closest car parking area giving the team enough time to reach the stopping point before the runner gets there. You’d be surprised how often a back-up team has missed their runner simply by mistiming. The consequences for the runner could be serious.

With this in mind it’s probably worthwhile taking the trouble to drive the route and check all timings, car parking areas and shortcuts before the event. Make a note of the approximate time you expect the runner to reach each checkpoint and always err on the side of caution ie be there before you expect the runner.

Clothing and equipment

Weather during the race can be extremely variable so changes of clothing from top to bottom including footwear are essential. And don’t forget some warmer gear. The night time temperatures at altitude can be decidedly chilly so for these stretches sweatshirts and long running trousers should be considered.

One runner who has done the race many times has 12 T-shirts, eight pairs of running shoes, three rain tops, hat, gloves and sun-tan lotion with his back-up team and has used the lot in one day!

Insect repellent is a must as is some form of ointment such as Vaseline to ease chafing. And don’t forget the Elastoplast. A reliable watch is another essential item. Bad news if you miss the runner because your watch needs a new battery! And talking of batteries, make sure your torch has spares.

Food and drink

Carry plenty of drink to stock up your runner’s water (or whatever) bottle and insist that they take it. The runner may say he (or she) doesn’t need it but nag until they agree…it could make the difference between making it to the finish line or not.

Monitor their food intake carefully. Too much could be as unfortunate as too little and make sure the diet has a good balance of protein and carbohydrate with plenty of sugar for energy (the writer of these notes swears by Kendal Mint Cake and the favourite of seasoned campaigner Alan Kay is jelly babies).

Finally….All back-up teams carry a considerable responsibility: their runner’s safety and well-being. It has been said that you have to be a bit crazy to enter the West Highland Way Race but the back-up teams must remain completely sane and exercise common sense throughout the whole period of the race.

It is essential that at least one of the crew is a runner to accompany the participant on the last two stages of the race as required by the race organisers. At this stage even the best and fittest can experience some disorientation and possible giddiness. So it’s nice if they have someone to “hold their hand” for the last few miles. Good luck!

Below is a table suggested support points that are easily accessable for the support crew to service their runners. Although the runners may not need crews at every point suggested there is no harm in being at most of them to provide support.